History
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan) recognises the service of New Zealand personnel, military and civilian, in Afghanistan from December 2001, in the campaign that followed the attacks of that September. The Sovereign authorised the medal by royal warrant on 23 July 2002, and the regulations for the Afghanistan award were published in January 2003.
There were two qualifying areas. This medal, with its primary operational area ribbon, was for service within the borders of Afghanistan itself, where New Zealand deployed a provincial reconstruction team in Bamyan and special forces among other contributions. As a New Zealand campaign medal it is worn in the Australian Order of Wearing among the foreign awards.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 is a single medal issued with a different ribbon for each operation, established by royal warrant in 2002 to recognise the service of New Zealand Defence Force and civilian personnel in operations since 1 January 2000. The medal is circular and silver-plated. The obverse bears the effigy of the reigning Sovereign. The reverse bears the words THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL within a wreath of fern fronds, pohutukawa and kowhai blossoms, surmounted by a Royal Crown. The recipient's details are engraved on the rim, and the operation is identified by the colours of the ribbon.
The ribbon
Green with red, black and red central stripes.
The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, green with three narrow central stripes of red, black and red. Black, red and green are the colours of the flag of Afghanistan, black for the past, red for the blood shed in the fight for independence, and green for hope.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded for service in Afghanistan from December 2001.
- New Zealand personnel, military and civilian, who served the required qualifying period within the borders of Afghanistan, the primary operational area, are eligible;
- Service in the surrounding secondary operational area is recognised by a separate version of the medal with a different ribbon;
- As a New Zealand campaign medal it is worn in the Australian Order of Wearing among the foreign awards.
Order of wear
These are New Zealand campaign medals. In the Australian Order of Wearing they are worn among the foreign awards, after Australian honours and awards. In the New Zealand system they are worn in order of the date of the qualifying service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan) awarded for?
Service by New Zealand personnel, military and civilian, within Afghanistan from December 2001, in the primary operational area of the campaign.
What do the ribbon colours mean?
Green with red, black and red central stripes; black, red and green are the colours of the flag of Afghanistan, standing for the past, the blood shed for independence, and hope.
How does it differ from the secondary version?
The secondary operational area version adds narrow light blue stripes at the edges of the ribbon, for sea and air service in the region surrounding Afghanistan.
What is on the medal?
The obverse bears the effigy of the Sovereign; the reverse bears the medal's title within a wreath of fern, pohutukawa and kowhai, surmounted by a Royal Crown.
Does it have a clasp?
No; the operation is identified by the ribbon rather than a clasp.
How is it worn in Australia?
As a New Zealand campaign medal, among the foreign awards in the Australian Order of Wearing.